Ferentz serves dual role of coach and dad on senior day

The Iowa Hawkeyes hope to close the regular season with a victory when they host Minnesota this weekend in the annual battle for Floyd of Rosedale. The Hawks are 6-4 after an impressive win at Wisconsin and coach Kirk Ferentz says the Gophers will be tough to beat. He says this looks like the best Minnesota team he’s faced since he’s been the coach.

Iowa’s young defensive line has made major strides the past few weeks and snuffed out a strong Wisconsin running game. This week they face the nation’s top ground attack and the success begins up front. Ferentz says the whole line plays well. He says Iowa had a pretty good group of linemen in 2000, but didn’t gain the yardage the Gophers have.

Senior Day always is emotional but even more so for Ferentz this week because his son Brian will be playing his last game in Kinnick Stadium as the Hawkeye’s starting center. Ferentz says it’s always tough on any senior, he says it’s one of the hard things of college football, but he says it’s part of life. Ferentz says it’ll be special to see his son out there on senior day.